Xbox One's Kinect sensor will become available for PCs in 2014. Kinect for Windows hasn't really taken off for gaming, so the company is targeting other markets including medical, training and entertainment industries.

Microsoft's Kinect is one of those rare things produced by the firm, a truly impressive product that has interested developers ever since it was introduced. The firm's upcoming Xbox One console will come with an updated version of the Kinect sensor and now the firm has said that the standalone PC version of it will be available in 2014. Microsoft said the updated sensor will also be followed by an updated software development kit (SDK) that will make use of the new features.

The firm said the updated Kinect will have higher fidelity sensors including a high definition colour camera and noise isolating microphone arrays. According to Bob Heddle, director of Kinect for Windows at Microsoft, the updated Kinect sensor will also have active infrared sensors, an expanded field of view and improved skeletal tracking. Heddle said the new sensor would be able to track more points on the body and six separate people at once. Heddle said the company will disclose more developer information regarding Kinect for Windows at Microsoft's Build conference in June. Microsoft hopes that its standalone Kinect sensor will be used for more than just gaming, and is targeting the medical, training and entertainment industries.

Although Microsoft supports Kinect only on its Windows operating system, there is a Linux SDK. Depending on how much information Microsoft releases at next month's Build conference, developers of the Linux Kinect SDK might be able to get started on supporting the new device. Heddle didn't reveal pricing for the updated Kinect sensor.

Xbox One Kinect sensor for PCs in 2014